KR
South Korea
South Korea ranks between 2nd and 29th across the 45 technologies, by share of the 10% most cited papers, 2021–2025.
TechnologyRankIts neighbours in the rankingShare of the top 10%, from 2021 to 2025Its institution with the most credit
Hydrogen by electrolysis
2ndof 83
1stCN53.0%2ndKR4.7%3rdUS4.3%4thAU3.8%5thDE3.7%
Jeonbuk National University0.6% of the top 10%
AI chips
2ndof 46
1stCN46.2%2ndKR12.1%3rdUS11.6%4–5SG3.4%4–5DE3.3%
Dongguk University2.1% of the top 10%
Electric batteries
3rdof 89
1stCN68.0%2ndUS7.6%3rdKR3.4%4–5GB2.2%4–5DE2.2%
Hanyang University0.4% of the top 10%
Supercapacitors
3rdof 86
1stCN46.3%2ndIN13.9%3rdKR7.3%4thSA3.6%5thPK3.4%
Yeungnam University1.6% of the top 10%
Perovskite solar cells
3rdof 76
1stCN53.9%2ndUS6.5%3rdKR4.6%4thHK4.0%5–6DE3.9%
Sungkyunkwan University1.5% of the top 10%
Gene editing
3rdof 77
1stUS32.2%2ndCN27.4%3rdKR4.2%4thIN4.0%5thDE2.5%
Korea University0.4% of the top 10%
Space launch
3rdof 18
1stCN34.8%2ndUS12.3%3rdKR8.9%4–5IT6.9%4–5DE6.8%
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology2.4% of the top 10%
Metamaterials
3rdof 73
1stCN55.5%2ndUS8.8%3rdKR4.0%4–5SG2.6%4–5AU2.6%
Pohang University of Science and Technology1.5% of the top 10%
Nuclear fission power
3rdof 64
1stCN43.3%2ndUS22.1%3rdKR4.4%4–5GB3.1%4–5RU3.1%
Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute0.8% of the top 10%
Synthetic biology
3rdof 55
1stCN45.7%2ndUS15.0%3rdKR5.0%4thDE4.7%5thGB3.9%
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology1.7% of the top 10%
Small satellites
4thof 47
1stUS13.7%2ndCN12.9%3rdIT11.5%4thKR6.7%5–7AE3.5%5–7NO3.1%
Ajou University1.1% of the top 10%
Drones and swarming
4thof 81
1stCN52.2%2ndUS5.0%3rdGB3.8%4thKR3.7%5thCA2.6%6–7IN2.1%
Chosun University0.7% of the top 10%
Advanced chip manufacturing
4thof 39
1stCN31.8%2ndIN16.6%3rdUS15.0%4thKR8.7%5thTW5.4%6thBE2.1%
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology1.1% of the top 10%
Electronic warfare
4–19tied, of 231.1 papers of credit
1stCN81.0%2–3CA2.1%2–3US1.4%4–19KR1.0%4–19PT0.8%4–19PK0.8%
Chungnam National University0.6% of the top 10%
Post-quantum cryptography
5thof 59
1stCN20.4%3rdUS9.8%4thSA5.3%5thKR4.3%6thGB3.4%7–8JP2.8%
Inha University1.3% of the top 10%
Large language models
5–6tied, of 96
1stCN27.4%3rdGB3.7%4thDE2.4%5–6KR2.3%5–6AU2.3%7thIN2.2%
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology0.2% of the top 10%
Hypersonic flight
4–7tied, of 28
1stCN65.9%3rdIN6.0%4–7IT1.7%4–7KR1.7%4–7HK1.6%4–7DE1.5%
Seoul National University0.5% of the top 10%
Autonomous underwater vehicles
4–6tied, of 44
1stCN71.7%3rdGB2.4%4–6IT1.7%4–6KR1.6%4–6IR1.5%7thIN1.4%
Sejong University0.5% of the top 10%
Wide-bandgap semiconductors
5thof 56
1stCN40.8%3rdJP5.3%4thIN4.3%5thKR2.9%6thIT2.5%7thGB2.3%
Sejong University0.9% of the top 10%
Radar
5–6tied, of 41
1stCN77.0%2–3GB2.8%4thIT2.7%5–6KR2.2%5–6DE2.1%7–9IN0.6%
Kongju National University0.7% of the top 10%
6G and advanced wireless
6thof 80
1stCN39.9%4thCA3.8%5thSG3.2%6thKR3.0%7thIN2.5%8thSA2.3%
Kyung Hee University0.6% of the top 10%
Directed energy
7–9tied, of 212.0 papers of credit
1stCN57.5%5–6IN3.3%5–6RU3.2%7–9KR2.2%7–9NL2.2%7–9CH1.6%
Kwangwoon University1.1% of the top 10%
Genome sequencing
7–9tied, of 59
1stUS33.6%5thAU3.9%6thCH2.0%7–9KR1.6%7–9CA1.6%7–9SE1.5%
Seoul National University0.3% of the top 10%
Advanced robotics
7–8tied, of 54
1stCN31.5%5thDE4.5%6thHK3.4%7–8KR3.2%7–8AU3.2%9thCH3.0%
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology0.9% of the top 10%
Critical minerals processing
7–9tied, of 58
1stCN43.0%6thGB2.4%7–9DE1.9%7–9KR1.9%7–9ES1.8%10–13FR1.7%
Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources0.5% of the top 10%
Distributed ledgers
8thof 103
1stCN20.6%6thAU3.7%7thIT2.7%8thKR2.6%9thAE2.3%10thCA2.2%
Kumoh National Institute of Technology0.5% of the top 10%
Advanced composites
7–8tied, of 68
1stCN50.8%6thAU2.7%7–8IT2.3%7–8KR2.3%9thES1.1%10–11DE1.0%
Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology0.2% of the top 10%
Advanced aircraft engines
7–11tied, of 474.4 papers of credit
1stCN64.6%7–11FR1.3%7–11PL1.3%7–11KR1.3%7–11CA1.2%7–11NZ1.2%
Agency for Defense Development0.3% of the top 10%
mRNA vaccines and therapeutics
9thof 70
1stUS38.7%7thGB2.5%8thIL2.3%9thKR2.2%10–11IT1.8%10–11NL1.8%
Ewha Womans University0.3% of the top 10%
Cybersecurity
7–9tied, of 104
1stCN14.8%7–9CA2.8%7–9PK2.8%7–9KR2.8%10thIT2.3%11–12TR2.2%
Kumoh National Institute of Technology0.3% of the top 10%
Hydrogen storage and ammonia fuel
9–10tied, of 68
1stCN44.5%7thGB3.0%8thMA2.5%9–10KR2.2%9–10JP2.1%11–12IR1.7%
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology0.3% of the top 10%
Atomic clocks
9–16tied, of 271.0 papers of credit
1stUS38.7%7–8AT2.9%9–16BE0.8%9–16KR0.8%9–16IL0.8%9–16SG0.7%
Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science0.8% of the top 10%
Nuclear fusion
10thof 50
1stUS27.5%8–9JP2.2%8–9ES2.2%10thKR1.6%11thRU1.3%12thSE1.1%
Korea Institute of Fusion Energy0.8% of the top 10%
High-performance computing
11–13tied, of 453.7 papers of credit
1stUS36.3%9thIN2.4%10thBR2.0%11–13KR1.4%11–13HK1.3%11–13SE1.1%
Dankook University0.7% of the top 10%
Optical communication
10–11tied, of 54
1stCN38.8%9thFR1.8%10–11BE1.6%10–11KR1.6%12–13SA1.5%12–13IT1.5%
Pukyong National University0.5% of the top 10%
Additive manufacturing
12thof 90
1stCN34.0%9–10CA2.1%11thTR1.9%12thKR1.8%13–14ES1.3%13–14GR1.3%
Pohang University of Science and Technology0.2% of the top 10%
Quantum sensors
11–13tied, of 48
1stCN22.5%9–10CH2.1%11–13AT1.5%11–13KR1.4%11–13HK1.3%14–16IL1.2%
Seoul National University0.4% of the top 10%
Satellite navigation
12–13tied, of 45
1stCN56.1%10thFR1.5%11thGB1.3%12–13KR1.2%12–13ES1.1%14–16IR1.0%
Sejong University0.3% of the top 10%
Sonar and underwater acoustics
9–14tied, of 373.1 papers of credit
1stCN71.6%9–14GB1.0%9–14IR0.9%9–14KR0.9%15–23DE0.5%15–23BR0.4%
Sejong University0.2% of the top 10%
Magnets and superconductors
12–16tied, of 584.5 papers of credit
1stCN35.0%12–16SA1.0%12–16RU1.0%12–16KR0.9%12–16ES0.9%12–16TR0.9%
Seoul National University0.2% of the top 10%
Quantum computing
15thof 71
1stUS34.9%13thIN2.1%14thES1.9%15thKR1.1%16thSE0.9%17–18SG0.7%
Kyung Hee University0.2% of the top 10%
New antibiotics and antivirals
13–15tied, of 82
1stCN30.3%13–15MX1.3%13–15PL1.3%13–15KR1.3%16thTW1.2%17–21EG1.0%
Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology0.3% of the top 10%
Quantum communication
16–17tied, of 57
1stCN28.9%14–15SG1.3%16–17IL1.1%16–17KR1.0%18–20CZ0.9%18–20PL0.9%
Kyung Hee University0.3% of the top 10%
Hyperspectral imaging
19–21tied, of 543.9 papers of credit
1stCN71.4%13–18RU0.5%13–18IR0.5%19–21KR0.5%19–21AE0.4%19–21PK0.4%
Kyungpook National University0.1% of the top 10%
Inertial navigation
16–29tied, of 401.0 papers of credit
1stCN64.0%16–29GR0.3%16–29ID0.3%16–29KR0.3%16–29SA0.2%16–29SE0.2%
University of Ulsan0.3% of the top 10%
Neighbours are the countries ranked just above and below. Ranks are shown as a range where shares are equal to one decimal place. Source: OpenAlex, pulled 18 October 2026. Method
Where South Korea is in the top three
PilotEach paper sorted into one sub-area by an AI model reading its title and abstract, then credited as usual. On 200 hand-labelled papers it chose the same sub-area, or a defensible second, 92% of the time. Shown where the sub-area has at least 30 papers in the top 10% and the country at least five papers of credit.
- 2ndSynaptic transistors (electrochemical, ionic, 2D, organic)AI chips, 61 papers; behind China 52.3%26.1%
- 2ndMemristors and resistive-switching synapsesAI chips, 178 papers; behind China 43.6%17.2%
- 2ndNuclear waste immobilisation and storageNuclear fission power, 37 papers; behind United States 29.2%15.5%
- 2ndHybrid and metal-ion capacitors (incl. zinc-ion)Supercapacitors, 208 papers; behind China 60.2%11.9%
- 2ndVehicle and transport network securityCybersecurity, 155 papers; behind China 19.4%11.4%
- 2ndBifunctional catalysts for overall water splittingHydrogen by electrolysis, 187 papers; behind China 71.6%11.0%
- 2ndFerroelectric memory and synaptic devicesAI chips, 49 papers; behind China 53.5%10.2%
- 2ndOptoelectronic synapses and in-sensor computingAI chips, 104 papers; behind China 75.8%8.6%
- 2ndSAR and ISAR imaging algorithmsRadar, 76 papers; behind China 76.7%7.9%
- 2ndPerovskite composition, film growth and crystallisationPerovskite solar cells, 246 papers; behind China 64.3%7.5%
- 2ndFlexible, wearable, micro and structural supercapacitorsSupercapacitors, 313 papers; behind China 62.0%7.3%
- 2ndElectron-transport layers and buried interfacesPerovskite solar cells, 168 papers; behind China 65.1%7.0%
- 2ndHybrid electrolysis (hydrazine or organic oxidation)Hydrogen by electrolysis, 127 papers; behind China 75.9%5.6%
- 2ndDrone-enabled edge computing and IoT data collectionDrones and swarming, 257 papers; behind China 63.3%5.3%
- 2ndAlkaline oxygen-evolution catalysts (Ni, Co, Fe)Hydrogen by electrolysis, 180 papers; behind China 62.2%4.8%
- 3rdPrime editingGene editing, 68 papers; behind United States 34.1% and China 32.2%12.8%
- 3rdLithography (EUV, photoresists, light sources)Advanced chip manufacturing, 64 papers; behind China 41.5% and United States 16.6%11.6%
- 3rdSmall modular, micro and space reactorsNuclear fission power, 71 papers; behind China 41.1% and United States 15.5%11.3%
- 3rdMetal sulfide, phosphide, nitride and other compound electrodesSupercapacitors, 286 papers; behind China 40.6% and India 14.0%10.6%
- 3rdBase editingGene editing, 67 papers; behind China 36.3% and United States 26.1%10.1%
- 3rdOptical metasurfaces: lenses, holography and polarisationMetamaterials, 498 papers; behind China 52.8% and United States 13.3%9.2%
- 3rdMetal-organic and covalent-organic framework materialsSupercapacitors, 207 papers; behind China 43.4% and India 15.2%8.5%
- 3rdMXene-based electrodesSupercapacitors, 326 papers; behind China 44.3% and India 13.1%8.1%
- 3rdGraphene and carbon-nanotube electrodesSupercapacitors, 141 papers; behind China 32.2% and India 19.6%8.0%
- 3rdThermal emission, radiative cooling and multispectral camouflageMetamaterials, 99 papers; behind China 66.6% and United States 9.1%7.7%
- 3rdMetal oxide and hydroxide electrodesSupercapacitors, 500 papers; behind China 38.3% and India 21.0%7.5%
- 3rdBlockchain with AI and federated learningDistributed ledgers, 115 papers; behind China 25.0% and United States 9.4%7.4%
- 3rdMechanisms, electrolytes, modelling and general reviewsSupercapacitors, 232 papers; behind China 30.7% and India 21.7%7.0%
- 3rdSolid-state batteries and solid electrolytesElectric batteries, 940 papers; behind China 59.7% and United States 13.2%6.3%
- 3rdLithium-ion cathode materialsElectric batteries, 418 papers; behind China 63.0% and United States 11.8%6.2%
- 3rdCompute-in-memory and AI accelerator chipsAI chips, 114 papers; behind China 35.2% and United States 27.1%6.1%
- 3rdUltraviolet photodetectors (gallium oxide, AlGaN)Wide-bandgap semiconductors, 108 papers; behind China 72.3% and India 6.7%5.6%
- 3rdLarge-area modules, flexible and indoor cellsPerovskite solar cells, 163 papers; behind China 56.4% and United States 5.9%5.4%
- 3rdLithium metal anodesElectric batteries, 340 papers; behind China 67.3% and United States 14.3%5.2%
- 3rdLiquid electrolytes and interphasesElectric batteries, 533 papers; behind China 67.0% and United States 12.6%4.5%
- 3rdPorous and biomass-derived carbon electrodesSupercapacitors, 481 papers; behind China 61.1% and India 7.9%4.3%
- 3rdDefect and surface passivation (incl. 2D/3D heterojunctions)Perovskite solar cells, 306 papers; behind China 67.9% and United States 5.7%4.2%
- 3rdSoft robots and artificial musclesAdvanced robotics, 289 papers; behind China 40.0% and United States 20.5%4.1%
- 3rdLithium-ion anodes (graphite, silicon)Electric batteries, 567 papers; behind China 76.9% and United States 5.3%3.7%
- 3rdNew CRISPR systems, RNA editing and epigenome editingGene editing, 160 papers; behind United States 51.6% and China 18.8%3.3%
- 3rdLithium-sulfur batteriesElectric batteries, 538 papers; behind China 77.5% and United States 5.1%3.1%